BEREA: The man who hired Alec Scheiner as president of the Browns in December 2012 entered the NFL with a business background before gradually becoming increasingly involved in roster decisions and ultimately seizing control of football operations in Cleveland.

INDIANAPOLIS: When George Whitfield Jr. heard that Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel checked into a rehabilitation facility Jan. 28 in an attempt to eliminate his hard-partying lifestyle, the significance of the decision compelled the Massillon native to contact his greatest influence right away.

INDIANAPOLIS: Akron native Devin Smith didn’t achieve his goal in the 40-yard dash Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine, but the standout wide receiver from Ohio State didn’t take a step back, either.

Smith had been posting times in the low 4.4-second range as he prepared for this weekend. Although he hoped to sprint his way to a time of 4.3, his official 4.42 still ranked seventh among all receivers at this year’s combine.